Fabrication of a novel material: EPS/Chopped E-Glass/Epoxy Hybrid Composite.

This paper represents the fabrication study of a novel material which is a combination of chopped E-glass, expandable polystyrene (EPS) and epoxy resin. The material is a novel hybrid material which can be used for different purposes. In the study, silane-treated chopped E-glass fibers were mixed with EPS beads in different ratios and fabricated with resin transfer molding method in laboratory scale. The material has promising characteristics and can be used for different purposes especially in automotive applications. The material has 102,04±19,16 HV1 (1kgf - 9.806 N) micro-hardness value under 20 seconds dwelling time and the water absorption of the material 2,485% in 240 hours (by weight) as maximum and the average water absorption was 1,246% for all specimens. Another important result of the material is the quasi-homogenous structure which is not generally possible with particulate reinforced materials. This hybrid material combines the properties of both discontinuous glass fibers and EPS beads particulates. The material promises low cost by combining the glass fibers and EPS beads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]